MLK Parade 2012

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed.”

2011 was a pivotal point in contemporary social history. Thank you Arab Spring, Occupy Movement, and Social Media. It is time to loosen the corporate media stranglehold before we tap out or pass out!

Quotes by MLK /// Photos by Theresa Keil, Larry Cohen, & Cara Liane

Photo by Larry Cohen

Some of us at What Weekly spent early Monday afternoon celebrating along MLK Blvd. The parade featured community organizations, eye-popping floats, a troupe of clowns and horses, some really out-of-place advertising, and plenty of drums!

But the real stars of the event were the people.

Photo by Theresa Keil

Photo by Theresa Keil

“We must use time creatively.”

Photo by Larry CohenPhoto by Larry Cohen

“Many people fear nothing more terribly than to take a position which stands out sharply and clearly from the prevailing opinion. The tendency of most is to adopt a view that is so ambiguous that it will include everything and so popular that it will include everybody.”

Photo by Theresa Keil

Photo by Theresa Keil

Photo by Larry CohenPhoto by Cara LianePhoto by Cara Liane

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”Photo by Theresa KeilPhoto by Larry CohenPhoto by Theresa Keil

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”

Photo by Theresa Keil

Photo by Larry CohenPhoto by Theresa Keil

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”Photo by Theresa Keil

Photo by Theresa Keil

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

Photo by Theresa Keil

“Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.”

Photo by Larry Cohen

Photo by Theresa Keil

Photo by Norma Tub

President Obama spoke this past October at Dr. King’s Memorial opening in DC.

He reminded us that what differentiates MLK from the others commemorated nearby is that he was not a president or foreign war hero. In fact, he was equally misunderstood as he was celebrated.

Dr. King lived under constant threat. He endured the humility and loneliness of jail. And yet, his faith in humanity persisted. He knew we could do better.

Dr. King was not without flaws. He had doubts and setbacks. Not unlike you or me.

But he inspired a nation, and over time, we did a little bit better.

Being at the parade on Monday was not just a reminder of how far we’ve come as a nation, but how much work there is still left to be done.